High pressure system builds; smoke and heat drive in around Calgary
Air quality advisories to the left of me, heat warnings to the right, here we are, stuck in the middle … There have been no major developments compared to where we got started Monday for the long-range forecast: it'll continue warming, it'll stay smoky, and that smoke volume is likely to increase this evening.
Let's discuss Newton's third law of meteorology (which I just made up): for each positive action, there is always a way to create a perceived negative reaction.
In this case, we have a high-pressure ridge to thank. Normally, these create benign conditions; you get sunshine, you get light wind, and in the summertime, they translate to warmth.
These effects occur under a subsident atmosphere; the contents of a high-pressure zone "subside" – they drop from the upper atmosphere to the lower. When air rises, it cools and can condense into cloud; when air sinks, as in high pressure, it warms and limits cloud growth.
This means the same guiding wind that has left smoke in our upper atmosphere will be contributing to its descent nearer to ground-level.
If you're reading this before noon and have plans in the Calgary area outdoors (walking the dog, walking the kids, walking the dog and the kids, walking yourself), the best bet is to get it out of the way early. Check our air quality before you head out.
As I was saying in Tuesday's article, it shouldn't be a surprise to see both an air quality advisory and a heat warning hit Calgary by Saturday. There is potential for overlap between these undesirables, too.
Your five-day:
Wednesday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 24 C
- Evening: hazy, low 16 C
Thursday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 26 C
- Evening: hazy, slight chance for a thundershower, low 15 C
Friday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: hazy, low 16 C
Saturday
- Sunny
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: mainly clear, low 17 C
Sunday
- Sunny
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: mainly clear, low 15 C
In pictures today, we're delving into the past couple of days.
Jim is pretty sure this is Roseberry Mountain. He took the photo Monday.
And Jan caught this one Monday, too.
Thank you for sending, all! You can submit your weather photos here, or email me: Kevin Stanfield , OR you can just tweet at me!
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.